Do you have a senior dog in your life?

Do you have an elderly dog?

Does Fido prefer to curl up in the sun and snooze rather than running for miles?

Is your pooch sporting a few more grey hairs around their muzzle?

All three of my dogs are on the elderly side of the equation.  The Shih Tzu cross is almost 10, the Corgi is turning 11 in September and my rescue Cocker spaniel is somewhere between 12 and 13.

Other than the Cocker spaniel’s sore shoulders & elbows, none of the dogs act the stereotypical “old dog”.  Why not?   Because there are lots of things you can do to keep dogs happy and healthy well into old age!

• Talk to your vet about adding a joint supplement to your dog’s diet.  My dogs get a daily dose of two human-grade supplements and it’s made a world of difference to their comfort.
• Is your dog getting the right food?  Again – this is another subject to talk to your vet about.  Senior dog foods are lower in protein and fat, which is thought to be easier on elderly dogs kidneys.  But did you know that not all older dogs benefit from a reduced-calorie diet?  My spaniel will get too skinny on a low-cal diet, which isn’t good either.
• Does your dog have a warm, soft place to sleep?  Sleeping on a dog bed can help to ease sore muscles and joints.  There are lots of fancy beds on the market, but even a spare bed pillow can make your pooch more comfortable.
• How about a nice massage?  A gentle massage in the morning, or before a walk can help to get your dog’s muscles warmed up and ready to work.

There is a new poll over on the sidebar – let me know how old your dog is!

image: Stock.xchg